The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-04-28
The Teachers Institute.

CeoulHSS VI Ino todCleIS lnSlltutt
held two weeks ago, was prepared
for last week, but the copy failed to
reach this office in time. Although it
now smacks tritle of ancient his.
tory, it is published at the urgent
request Of number Of persons inter.
ested in the cause of education:
Monday, April 18th. at 2 p. NJ. the
institute opened in the assembly
room of the school house, with Mr..
Rocholl. our gentlenanly county
superintendent in the chair.
The opening enrolment reached
so and Prof. Rocheleau began work
upon the subject Of physiology, dis.
cussing the human skeleton and Civ.
ing many useful hints regarding the
teaching of this branch in our com.
mon schools. Prof. Marvel. whose
name we find on the title page of the
new school readers recently prepared
under the states supervision, ex.
planned the programme as given in
"the common school manual and
recommended its general adoption.
Geography, that delightful study
by means of which we travel in our
mind" was brought up by Prof.
Rocheleau and methods for teaching
this branch in primary grades sug-
gested. Much preliminary work in
geography may be done under head
of general lessons.
A reading "Snow Bound was
begun under the efficient manage.
ment of Prof. Marvel, and most de
lightful feature of the institute work
this reading proved. It was given
for the purpose of instructing teach
ers in methods. BY this means the
full meaning Of the author is
grasped and the reader can mentally
picture the people and scenes depict
ed IN the poem so that they seem
real. "Snow Bound" seemed actually
to grow during these readings and
the picture of New England home
and its inmates assumed a reality
that we had never grasped before.
Tuesday morning session opened
promptly at 9. and several new mem.
bers enrolled. Geography taken up
and continued through the inter.
mediate grades. Unless teachers
have good text book much ingenuity
must be used to interest pupils. The
old Colton's geography is especially
obnoxious. Arithmetic by Prof.
Marvel was especially interesting at
this hour. Figures should not be
taught until the idea of number is
strong in the pupils mind. The
teaching Of numbers with splints
was explained, and shorter methods
for beginners. But three signs are
used, plus, equality, and times, ad
dition comprising both addition and
subtraction, etc.
History by Prof. Rocheleau was
very interesting. showing how the
memory and Imagination both may
be stimulated by this usually dry
study, thinks story; telling an i'm.
portant item in the teaching Of his
tory. Only focal dates taught be-
ginners; (teachers study the manu-
alt! 49,.
Prof. Marvel followed by lesson in
language. Does a child of six know
the meaning of one thousand words
Related an amusing incident of his
experience to illustrate that two
minds and correspondence Of
thought necessitates language. His
boy surprised him by asking how
any one could swear after his head
was cut off. This was assuredly q
poser. But "the book says So was
explained as follows: "In an EN-
gagement, a usually mild and we'll.
balanced minded general lost has hsao
and swore roundly at his troops"
The afternoon of Tuesday was
made especially interesting by the
exhibition and explanation of the
manikin by Prof. Rocheleau. This
together with continuance Of
"Snow Bound, closed the days exer
| else.
A social in the evening was said te
be a most enjoyable affair and much
praise was given Profs. Marvel ant
Rocheleau for its success.
On Wednesday morning the mum,
Der enrolled reached 68; owing tc
the storm good many names
were written on the blackboard
instead Of being responded to. A
number Of excellent quotations were
given this morning and work begun
in earnest.
The subject of Geography as re-
CARDS continents was discussed
Prof Rocheleau advises teachers te
read. Political boundaries arc
changing In Africa so frequently
that the most determined geograph
er cannot keep up with maps.
Prof. Marvel's illustration OF
fractions by means of simple slips OIL
paper was really ingenious and
created quite an excitement. The
Prof. advocates the teaching of com
pound numbers by expressing lower
denominations decimally. Prof
Rocheleau showed how history may
be taught to advanced classes by
topics, and answered innumerable
questions concerning dates etc
Afternoon, the lesson in physielo
gy gave teachers an idea of neces
sary action IN case of accidents to pu
pills at school, the care of wounds